Pumping apparatus



.3. W. TAYLOR PUMPING APPARATUS Y @med March 16, 1925 2 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 9 1926.

J. W. TAYLOR PUMPING APPARATUS A 2 sheets-sheet a Filed March 16, 1925 Wj in.

jaa/MES W atto z 1 w11 Patented Feb. 9, 1926.1

JAMES w. TAYLOR, orhsAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

PUMPING APPARATUS.

applicati@ mea March 1e, 1925. serial no. 15,756.

To all wlw/m z't may concern.'

Be it known that I, JAMES W. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pumping Apparatus, ofwhich the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to pumping appa,

ratus for oil ywells and more particularly to an improved apparatus of this character by the use of which oil is forced from the well by the pressure of an expansible operating `fluid.

In accordance withthe invention a pumping apparatus is employed wherein is provided a flow line or tu ing through which the oil is led from the well. and wherein the flow line is constructed to include a plurality of valves for admitting they air or elevating fluid thereto, the valves being so constructed that as the flow line is raised or lowered the valves are successively opened and closed during such raising or lowering operation.

Specifically, it is the object of the invention to provide new and improved apparatus for ermitting of the raising and lowering of tliie valved liow line in a simple, positive and readily controlled manner.

A lfurther object of the invention resides in theprovision of an apparatus which constitutes an improvement upon the structure disclosed and claimed in my previous Patent 1,509,323 and that set forth in my copending application Serial Number 643,652 filed June 6, 1923.

Withthese and other objects in view, as

will appear Aas the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts hereinafter to be fully described and ed claims.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a ly in vside elevation, of the upper end of a well casing embodyin a pumping apparatus constructed in accor ance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof,

taken on the `the adm pointed out in the-appendvertical sectional view, partthe flow line Figure 3 is a vhorizontal sectional view Figure 4 is a similar view taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 2, u

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view-taken Ithroug `the well casing andy tubing and disclosing the tubing in its within the casing,

Figure 7 is a similar view disclosing the tubing in its elevated position,

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Figure 6, and showing yone of the valve sections of the tubing in its closed position, i

igure 9 is a similar view disclosing the `valve section of the tubing in its open or gas admitting position, and

Figure 10 is a similar view showing the valve section in its second closed position. Referring more particularly to the drawings, the `numeral 10 indicates the casing of a well and 11 the flow line or tubin disposed within the casing. The flow line 11 comprises a plurality of sections l2 connected by control valves 13 for controlling y ission of air, gas, or other expansible operating Huid contained within the casing to the How line. n The lowermost section l2 of the flow line is'provided with a foot screen generally indicated by the numeral l5. The flow line is sealed to the casing, as at 16 adjacent the upper end thereof, the Seal permitting of the vertical movement of lowered position the ilow line within the casing 10 without loss of gas from'the well. or packing 16, a provided through Below the seal fluid pressure inlet 17 is, which pressure may be introduced to the casing and enter'the flow line through the valves 13 hereinbefore influid intov the flow line and the consequent elevation of the oil and the well.I

`The apparatus 18 comprises a head 19 which is threaded as at 20 upon the upper end of the casing 10. The head 19 visformed with an axial opening fo-r'the receptionfof 11, and this opening is enlarged .to receivelthe packing A16 which is maintalned in engagement with 'the flow line by meanstof -a threaded nut 2l.

4.0 Supply employ Y, The moyement or the 55 to the rods` 25 and t The l'tubing extends .upwardly throu h the s packing 16 and near its upper end is ormed with a collar22, which engages with a cross head 23. The outer ends -of the cross head 23 .are formed `with depending studs 24 which are received within the open upper ends of vertically dependin rods 25. The rods 25 extend downw-ar ly and axially throu cylinders 26 carried bythe head 19 I0 and isposed on o posite sides of the iow 16 larged openings 29 form'ed in connection with the head 19. The lower ends of the rods 25 are threaded and secured-'gto' pistons `3() that are mounted for verticalreciprocation vwithin the cylinders 26. Each ist`o'n 30 includes a base section 3l, provide with an annular shoulder upon which seats a. `ring 32, the latter 'being held in place by the uper section 33 of the 'piston which forces ownwar'dly upon the ring 32 by means of pressure exercised by nuts 34 carried in connection with upwardly extending stud bolts 35, that 4are carried by the base section 31., 4

`Adjacent the casing v10 there is disab posed a 1i uid'ankfs from the bottom ofv which lea sr a pipe 37, provided exteriorly of the tank within a control valve 38, and above the valve 38 the pipe! line 37 is branched as indicated at 39 and arranged to 35 enter the lower portions of thecylinders 26 as designatedv by the numeral 40. Also'pro.- vided in connection withlthe tank 36 is an The p ilp 41 leads from a source of fluid un er'pressure," and the valve 42 is throughtlie pipe 41 and into the -tank 36.

-line'41 is a'reliefvalve 43 bymeans of which' 45 fluid ressure inthe tank may be regulated.A

Mani estl when thegL-.valve 43`is closed, the

liquid inf-the tank Aso t at vsaidxl-iquid is forced through the-pipeline 37, past the valve 38 and into the cylinders'26, causing the rise of the. pistons 30 mounted therein. lpistons is transmitted ence'tothe yoke or cross head .23 and sincel the latteris in en gagement wit the collar-22, it follows that' the tubing or flow line 11 of the well will be raised in unison with the pistons.- Near the '-460 upper end of the cylinders 26 the walls of the latter are formed with relief ports 44 by means of which the extent of rise of the pistons maybe governed. When it is decided to lower the flow line, and the valves 38 and 43 opened. The

v46 in which is air inlet pi e; 41 in which is mounted a valve.v

ed'to control the iow -of the-'fluid ,serves-.to'insure a irm an Also' varrangediii communication with the" the valve 42 is closed f iwasae, Y

weight 'of the flow line, acting kon the pistons causes the liquid to return to the tank 36,'permitting lof a controlled and gradual descent of thelow line.

Threaded upon the packing nut 21 is a vertically disposed sleeve 45, which has its upper-end threaded to receive an annulus rovided an inverted frustoconical socket 4 This socketis arranged to receive a plurality of automatically operating flow line gripping or Jwedge sections 48 by means of which the flow "line `may be maintained in a suspended condition within the casing 10 independently of the support normally provided by the cross, head 23 and lits associated hydraulic raising and lowerling mechanism. The sections 48 are preferably formed from high grade steel and have their outer faces conically inclined to co-act inl a wedge-like manner with the face of the conical socket 47. The inner faces of the sections 48 are formed with gripping teeth 49, which assist in enabling the sections 48 to exercise and sec-ure a .positive hold u on the'outer cylindrical surface of the tubing. Each ofthe sections 48 includes an upwardly -extendin bolt 50 which: is

, positioned within a colar 51 loosely surrounding the tubing 11. It will be seen that ositioned withinl 1 ure-.1, and liqwhen the sections 48 are the socket 47, asshown in uid vpressure removed from t e cylinders .26,

the weight ofthe tubing or flow line will force the sections 48 securely into the sockets 47, and since this socket is in the forni of an inverted cone, it follows that the relatives ly movable sections 48 willbe firmly `contracted around l,the tubing 11, grippingy the` latterfjwith'suiiicient pressure to yprevent the `fronilslipping .downwardly inthe.

The upper end ofthe iow line isfprovided with a curved fitting' 53'whichis provided with a depending pipe section- 54 adapted to be slidably received within the upper l end of .a stationary pipeline 55 which constitutesl a continuation of the ilow line. The u per end'of the pipe section 54'carries a ac ing 56 by means of which fluid. escape etween `o'sitive grip ony en the wedges secured in .connection with the tubing j -w'ith the wedges out of active relation with 'the annulu's 46.

the "movable and stationary partsof lthe flowv4 l line is prevented.- The lower end of the pige tab e Vline `54 is mounted. within -an adjus block 57, carrying a Vrejection 58 which is received within a soc et formed in'connection with the head 19. The socket includes f a set screw 59 which maintains lthe block 57 against movement. By the provision of prises a sleeve 66, which isv threaded as atl the adjustable block it is `convenient to maintain proper registration between the pipe sections 54 and 55, preventing binding of these relatively movable parts and improper registration. The curved fitting 53, in registration with the flow line 11, may be provided with a removable packing gland 60 through which may be led a line 61 which carries at its lower end ,a brush 62. This brush may be raised and lowered throughout the length of the flow line 11 so as to clean the latter of the deposit, usually paraffin, which accumulates upon the walls of the flow line and tends to interfere with the free flowing. of the liquid. It will be observed that the ilow line is devoid of obstructions of any nature so that the rise and fall of the cleaning brush 62 will not be interfered with or obstructed in any manner.

The ow line, as shown in Figures 6 to 10 inclusive consists of a plurality of pipe sections wherein the lower ends of which are designated by the numeral 63 and the upper ends by the numeral 64. Uniting the ends 63 and 64 are couplings 65 which in reality comprise the valves 13. These couplin arelocated at suitable spaced distances 1n the length of the flow line and since the same are of similar construction, a description of one will suffice for all. Each coupling com- 67 upon an annular enlargement 68 provided upon the lower end 63 of the flow line sections. The lower end of each sleeve 66 is provided with an annular enlargement 69, and the opposed, faces of the enlargements 68 and 69l are reversely beveled to provide valve seats 70 and 71. The-upper ends 64 of each top section that projects into a coupling is formed with an annular enlargement 72, the ends of which being beveledas at 73 to correspond to the beveled surfaces and 71, so that while the seats 70 and71 are engaged, as shown in Figures 8 and 10, with the surfaces 73 fluid liow through the valves or couplingsA will be prevented. By

reference to Figure 9 it will be seen thatl the diameter of the enlargement 7 2 is slightly less than the internal diameter of the sleeve 66, so as to provide a gas passage therethrough. Similarly, the enlargements 69 on the lower end of the sleeve 66 possesses a greater diameter than that of the tubing 'section to `permit of Huid flow, is indicated in Figure 9.

In accordance with this structure an improved apparatus is provided for removing conveniently' and practically oil yfrom the flow line of a well. In starting the apparatus air pressure is introduced in the casing by way of the inlety 17. This pressure which is maintained uniformly, is exerted upon-the surface of the liquid in the casing 10, causing said liquid to be forced downwardly from its natural level in the casing and rise v all of correspondingly in the flow line. Then, in order to remove byeasy stages they column of liquid in the flow line, the valves 13 are operated successively, beginning with the upper ,valve and proceeding downwardly the full depth of the well, in such manner that the liquid disposed between the valves will be removed from the flow line by successive stages and through the cooperative influence of the fluid pressure introduced inl the well casing. Thus, when the well is initially started the upper of the valves 13 is opened. Since this valve is above the liquid level in `the casing, the expansible operating fluid will circula-te through said upper valve due tothe fact that the pressure in the casing exceeds the pressure in the liquid line above the nozzle or valve through which the fluid is passing. Due to the Weight of the column of liquid above the valve, the

fluid will not expand immediately upon entering the flow lin`e but will rise by lvirtue of its natural buoyancy and will continue tok expand gradually as the liquid pressure near the top of the flow line gradually diminishes, so that when the gas pressure will have reached the upper end of the flow line the expansion thereof will be so great as to produce enlarged gas bubbles which moving rapidly and in quick succession force the liquid from the upper end of the flow line. As the-liquid is withdrawn from the flow line and the pressure is continued in the casing the liquid level in said casing gradually recedes, until the next lower nozzle is uncovered. At this point of operation the upper nozzle is closed, and the next adjacent lower nozzle is opened and the action above described is vrepeated until the liquid has. been forced out of the tubing between said adjacent nozzles and is receding again in the flow line to uncover the third of the nozzles. This action is continued successively until the nozzles or valves 13 have been opened and closed, and the liquid in the well has finally reached a point wherein the air pressure in the casing balances the natural inflow of `the liquid into the well and the liquid contained in the flow line. This normal level of the liquid in the casing that is, the level which may be said to be the working level, is below the lowermost of the nozzles or valves 13 and usually below one or both of the aperture couplings 74 provided in y,ering mechanism a convenient control is provided for effecting the operation. of the well tubng and Avalves as above,- related and wherein the laborious manual Work heretofore involved in thisoperation has been eliminated land a structure provided which can be operated more quickly and accurately. .One of the rods 2 5 may be provided with a scale 76 movable with respect to an adjustably mounted pointer 77, by means of' which visual indication outside ofthe well may be provided as to the positions of the flow line and the valves 13 therein, indicating when said valves are opened and closed.

It will be observed that the seats 70 and 71 and the surfaces 7 3 are beveled so as to provide for very secure and positive engagement when the valve is closed and also to admit of relative disalignment of the pipe sections of the tubing without intertering withy the operation of the couplings.

What is claimed is:

1. In oil well apparatus, a casing, a flow line vertically shiftable'within the casing, means operated by vertical shifting of. the flow line for successively placing spaced points Within the flow line in communication with the casing, the casing being in communication with a sourcev of Huid pressure, a means for vertically shifting the flow line, said means consisting of a cross member mounted on said How line above said cas1ngp1ston rods depending from said cross member, pistons carried by thelower ends of said rods, spaced cylinders Aprovided on the upper end disposed on opposite sides of said iow line and in which said pistons are mounted for reciprocation, and means operating to apply or remove fluid pressure to and from the pistons in said cylinders to raise and lower said flow line.

2. In oil well apparatus, a casing, a flow line mounted to shift vertically within said casing, a packing gland provided in the upper end of said casing for the slidable reception of said iow line, and fluid pressure operated means carried by the upper end of lsaid casing and disposed on opposite sides of said-flow line for controlling lie vertical shifting of said vertical iiow lne.

3. In oil well apparatus, a casing, a head of said casing, a packing gland provided in said head, a' flow line shiftable vertically with esect to said casing, the upper end of 'said line being extended through and above said packing gland, a pair of cylinders mounted on said he d, pistons mounted'within said cylinders, c nnections between said pistonsand said flow line, and means-for control-4 ling the flow of a. Huid under pressure into and out of said cylinders to raise and lower said pistons and low line.

4.' In oil well apparatus, 4a casing, a flow line vertically reciprocable in saidcasing, a

cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, connections between said piston and iiow line, a liquid reservo1r,alp1pe connectlon extendoyvlline.

fluid pressure operated meansfor raising ing between said reservoir and said cylinder, and means permittin of the application of gas pressure to te liquid in said reservoir to control the operating positions of said piston.

5. In oil well apparatus, a casing, a lflow line shiftable vertically with re ect to said casing, a cylinder, a piston slidab y mounted line vertically shiftable with respect to said` casing, a head mounted on said casing,

cylinders mounted on said head, pistons4 in said reservoir to regulate the flow of the liquid into and' mounted for vertical reciprocation 'within' said cylinders, v fixed stems arising from said pistons, and a cross member carried 1n connection with said flow l1ne and cooperativi` with the upper ends ofv said stems to con# 4 trol the rise and fall of said flow line in unison with' said pistons.

8. In oil well apparatus, a casing, allow line shiftable vertically with respect to said casing, means operated by vertical shifting` of ythe flow line for' successively placing spaced points within the How line in communication with the casing, fluid pressure operated means for vertically shifting the' low line, and.mea ns for holding the flow line in'a stationary position of vertical adjustment independently of the fluid preslsure operated means for shifting the flow 9. In oil well apparatus, a casing, a How line vertically movable with respect to said casing, fluid 'pressure o rating means for vertically shifting'said diw line, and a plumaintaining -said flow linem xed 4positions of vertical adjustment. independently ofthe and lowering the same.

miv

rality .of wedge shaped gripping devices forl i 10,'In oil well apparatus, a leasing", `a. i flow line passing( through saidcasing and I vertically shiftable with resl'yec'tv thereto,

fluidA pressure operating means cooperativefflig v with said iovv line for effecting the raising4 V p ping devices cooperative with said socket to exercise a frictional grip upon said flow line to effect the support and expansion of the latter within said casing independently 0 of the fluid pressure operating means.

11. In oil Well apparatus, a casing, a

flow line vertically shiftable `with respect to said casing, fluid pressure operating means for vertically shift-ing the flow line; and a' normally closed entry provided in the upper portion of said flow line and adapted toy permit of the insertion of acleaning tool Within said flow line to permit of the cleaning of the flow line Without stopping liquid circulation therethrough.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES W. TAYLOR, 

